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retention of surface runoff eaters proposed for the lease tract, it is <br />estimated that coal leasing and subsequent mining would result in an <br />• estimated minimum one acre foot of water depletion annually, The Service, <br />through formal consultation with BLM and USFS, has issued a Programmatic <br />Biological Opinion for water depletions in Colorado for less than 125 acre <br />feet, suggesting conservation measures to offset jeopardy co these fishes <br />and their crit'_cal habitats caused by :rater depletion. <br />Cultural Resources <br />Impacts to cultural resources could occur if future surface <br />disturbances are proposed. These potential impacts can be mitigated by a <br />pre-activity cultural resource inventory prior to surface disturbance. <br />Slater Resources <br />Coal extraction or the resultant subsidence of overburden could <br />disrupt and drain ground water systems associated with the Mesaverde <br />Formation, Quaternary deoosics, or the local fault systems. <br />Surface effects from subsidence could alter surface flow patterns or <br />intercept surface runoff wa.e.s. T:e severity of surface subsidence would <br />be greatest where the s:~aliovest overburden occurs. <br />• These impacts will be mitigated by the mine plan review process. The <br />mine and reclaWacion plan will require the lessee, before issuance of the <br />mine permit, to inventory all adjudicated water rights to quantify water <br />sources (suzface vs. ground water), •.+ater quantity, and water quality. If, <br />. as a result of mining activities, disruption to water quality or quantity <br />occurs to any o` t'.-rese ware: sources (as determined by comparing inventory <br />data to post m:r.i^g condit_ons), th=_ lessee wii~ be =es;o.-:s=~~e for <br />rectification of the disruption. <br />Socioeconomics <br />Leasing federal '_a::ds •:ou'_d not af_'ect the annual Level of coal <br />production. Consequent'_y, =here would be no immediate impact on local <br />employment income or pudic re•~erves. However, the use of the federal <br />Lease extends the mine life by 10 years which means the income and <br />employment effects of the tine would be for a longer period. At the <br />estimated production le•:el of 4.0 million tons per year of federal coal, <br />210 employees would be needed co mine the coal. In 1993, the mine employed <br />189 people. The.mine presently employs 210 people. <br />ALternative Tvo - :7o Act'_on <br />There are no known additional impacts to the following resources; <br />climate, air quality, recreation, soils, mineral resources, water <br />resources, vegetation, •.+ildlife, land use, cultural or visual resources. <br />If the lease is not g-=_nced, [here is a high likelihocd t!;at the coal would <br />never be mined. In that case, this alternative would resulC in a loss of <br />production co the nation of 37 million to as of coal. <br />• <br />2? <br />